Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Southern Miss Golden Eagles
	Current season:; 2023 Southern Miss Golden Eagles
First season	1912
Athletic director	Bill McGillis
Head coach	Jay Hopson
	2nd year, 4–20 ()
Other staff	Chip Lindsey (OC); David Duggan (DC)
Home stadium	M.M. Roberts Stadium
Year built	1932
Stadium capacity	36,000
Stadium surface	Sports Exe Momentum Turf
Location	Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Mississippi
League	NCAA Division I FBS
Conference	Conference USA
	All-time history
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Historical Teams
All-time record	552–403–27 ()
Postseason bowl record	10–10 ()
Claimed national titles	2
Conference titles	8
Consensus All-Americans	0
	Current uniform
Colors	Black and Gold ;
Fight song	Southern Miss to the Top
Mascot	Seymour d'Campus
Marching band	Pride of Mississippi Marching Band
Outfitter	Russell Athletic
Rivals	Louisiana Tech Bulldogs; Memphis Tigers; Tulane Green Wave
Website	SouthernMiss.com

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represents the University of Southern Mississippi located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Golden Eagles are a member of the NCAA FBS Sun Belt Conference and play their home games at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. The Golden Eagles are currently coached by Will Hall.

Seasons[]

2020s[]

Season	Coach	Record
2024	Will Hall
2023	Will Hall	3-9
2022	Will Hall	7-6
2021	Will Hall	3-9
2020	Jay Hopson; Scotty Walden; Tim Billings	3-7

2010s[]

Season	Coach	Record
2019	Jay Hopson	7-6
2018	Jay Hopson	6-5
2017	Jay Hopson	8-5
2016	Jay Hopson	7-6
2015	Todd Monken	9-5
2014	Todd Monken	3-9
2013	Todd Monken	1-11
2012	Ellis Johnson	0-12
2011	Larry Fedora	12-2
2010	Larry Fedora	8-5

2000s[]

Season	Coach	Record
2009	Larry Fedora	7-6
2008	Larry Fedora	7-6
2007	Jeff Bower	7-6
2006	Jeff Bower	9-5
2005	Jeff Bower	7-5
2004	Jeff Bower	7-5
2003	Jeff Bower	9-4
2002	Jeff Bower	7-6
2001	Jeff Bower	6-5
2000	Jeff Bower	8-4

1990s[]

Season	Coach	Record
1999	Jeff Bower	9-3
1998	Jeff Bower	7-5
1997	Jeff Bower	9-3
1996	Jeff Bower	8-3
1995	Jeff Bower	6-5
1994	Jeff Bower	6-5
1993	Jeff Bower	3-7-1
1992	Jeff Bower	7-4
1991	Jeff Bower	4-7
1990	Curley Hallman; Jeff Bower	8-4

History[]

Football classifications[]

1937–1959: NCAA College Division
1960: NCAA University Division
1961–1962: NCAA College Division
1963–1972: NCAA University Division
1973–1977: NCAA Division I
1978–present: NCAA Division I-A

Conference affiliations[]

1912–1930: Independent
1931–1941: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1942–1947: Independent
1948–1951: Gulf States Conference
1952–1995: Independent
1996–2020: Conference USA
2021-present - Sun Belt Conference

Championships[]

National championships[]

Year	Overall Record	Coach	Selector
1958	9–0	Thad Vann	United Press International College Division
1962	9–1	Thad Vann	United Press International College Division

Conference championships[]

Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Coach	Conference
1948	7–3	4–0	Reed Green	Gulf States Conference
1950	5–5	3–1	Thad Vann	Gulf States Conference
1951	6–5	4–0	Thad Vann	Gulf States Conference
1996†	8–3	4–1	Jeff Bower	Conference USA
1997	9–3	6–0	Jeff Bower	Conference USA
1999	9–3	6–0	Jeff Bower	Conference USA
2003	9–4	8–0	Jeff Bower	Conference USA
2011	12-2	6–2	Larry Fedora	Conference USA
† Denotes co-champions

Home stadium[]

M.M. Roberts Stadium[]

Main article: M.M. Roberts Stadium

File:Therock.jpg

M. M. Roberts Stadium - "The Rock"

Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M. M. Roberts Stadium is nicknamed "The Rock at Southern Miss" and boasts a seating capacity of 36,000. The stadium history dates back to October 29, 1932 when the State Teachers College defeated Spring Hill College, 12-0, as some 4,000 fans looked on from wooden bleachers. On this homecoming date, the playing field was dedicated as "Faulkner Field" in honor of local businessman L. E. Faulkner, who provided the materials and equipment to build the original facility. The stadium was dedicated on September 25, 1976, with Southern Miss hosting intrastate-rival Ole Miss. Since the opening of M. M. Roberts Stadium in 1976, Southern Miss has accumulated a winning percentage of 73% at home. In 1989, the playing field had a new irrigation system installed. The Robert "Ace" Cleveland Press Box and president's box was renovated and chairback seating was added to the west side of the stadium. In 2002, the lighting system was upgraded to provide brighter lighting and two new poles were added, one in each end zone. The playing field at Roberts Stadium underwent a name change in the 2004 summer when it was renamed Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium in honor of entrepreneur Gene Carlisle who provided the contribution for the installation of a new playing surface, Momentum Turf by Sportexe. A new state-of-the-art scoreboard was installed prior to the 2007 season. Other renovations and additions include such major projects as luxury suites, club-level seating, elevators on each side of the south end zone, and a visiting team locker room.

Logos/Uniforms[]

Image gallery[]

Former players/Notable alumni[]

Steve Broussard - former Atlanta Falcons running back
Reggie Collier - former NFL quarterback
Fred Cook
Hanford Dixon - Pro Football Hall of Fame FS who spent most of his career with the Cleveland Browns
Demar Dotson
John Eubanks
Brett Favre - Pro Football Hall of Fame and Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings QB
Ray Guy - former NFL punter who played for the Oakland/L.A. Raiders
Harold Hays - former NFL WR who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1960s
Michael Jackson - former WR who played for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens
Cliff Lewis - former NFL running back/linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns in the 1950s
Louis Lipps - former Pittsburgh Steelers WR
Todd Pinkston - Philadelphia Eagles WR
Jeff Posey
Cedric Scott
Jerrel Wilson - former AFL punter who spent most of his career with the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs
Sammy Winder - former Denver Broncos running back

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Coaches[]

Traditions[]

Southern Miss to the Top[]

Main article: Southern Mississippi to the Top

The Southern Miss to the Top! Response Cheer is used among Southern Miss alumni, students and supporters. The initiator of the cheer says “Southern Miss!” The responder says “To the Top!” Hand signals accompany the cheer, which are two gestures upward with the index finger, done by both the initiator and responder.

The District[]

The District is located near the intersection of US Hwy 49 and Hardy Street. The historic district of campus is anchored by the five original buildings of the campus: Ogelee Tree Alumni House, The Honor House, College Hall, Forrest Hall, and Hattiesburg Hall. It is also the traditional tailgating site for students during football season. It is home to Lake Byron, which has served as a focal point for many university activities and several weddings.

Eagle Walk[]

The Eagle Walk is found underneath the upper deck of M. M. Roberts Stadium. Two hours prior to football game day, a cannon is fired, which begins the procession. ROTC, The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, University officials, and football players make a march through this street to the cheers of thousands of fans. Every fall, the incoming freshman give the walls and street a "fresh coat of paint" as they have done for half a century

References[]

External Links[]

Southern Miss Golden Eagles article at Wikipedia
Official team site